A Look at Forgiveness: David & Shimei

2 Samuel 16 – David’s life has reached its greatest low point. He has never been lower – ever.  While David fleeing for his life – a man named Shimei comes out – adding to his misery. Shimei – who was of the family of Saul, pours out the hate in his heart on a man who at his lowest ebb.  In 16:10-13 – David refuses to retaliate. How could he do that? Do we possess a forgiving spirit? It is one of the most difficult things to acquire.

I.  What do we most often do?

A.     We offer _________________________ forgiveness:

1.      I will forgive you…if… I will forgive you AS SOON AS…

2.      The other person must own up to their end of the problem __________ – and that determines how we will respond.

B.     We offer ____________________ forgiveness.

1.      I’ll forgive you...but don’t expect me to forget…

C.    We offer _______________________ forgiveness.

1.      I’ll forgive you …just give me time.

D.    Most of us would rather sit on the ___________ seat than the ________ seat.

1.      Unforgiveness has a dramatic; downward effect on entire life.

II. David demonstrates complete forgiveness.

A.     2 Samuel 19:16-23

B.     19:20 - Shimei – I have sinned. How many times have we been in his shoes?

C.    Back to David. He could have been _____________________.

1.      Indifference is certainly not forgiveness. Indifference is _____________ controlled.

D.    I think he kept his vertical focus clear.

1.      When someone offends you – take it to ____________.

E.     David was very much aware of his own ____________________.

III. Some sound advice to help us forgive.

A.     We must cultivate a thick layer of ________________.

1.      A buffer that takes jolts that come our way.  See Js. 1:19

B.     Try to understand where the offender is ____________ __________.

1.      Lk. 23:34 – putting ourselves in the other person’s shoes often helps us objectify their reaction.

2.      In 1 statement we realize how our Lord viewed His _____________.

C.    Recall times when you have needed _______________________ & then apply the same emotion. No one is above being human.

1.      Mt. 7:12 – just as we would wish to be forgiven & treated graciously – so we must treat others!

D.    ___________________ your forgiveness. Say it – don’t just think it.

1.      But yet our typical response is to do all the wrong things:

a)     _________ treatment; resentment; __________; indifferent; _________________.

IV. Putting on forgiveness is a must for the Christian.

A.     Rom. 12:14-21; Eph. 4:31-32; Col. 3:12-13; 1 Pet. 3:8-9; Mt. 6:14-15

Conclusion:

A.     Put yourself in David’s shoes.  Could you have forgiven ___________?

B.     Do you need to take advantage of ________________ forgiveness?